Wheat variety "Malusha" is a soft winter wheat Triticum aestivum L. of universal cultivation type. This variety was developed by the Institute of Plant Growing named after V.Ya. Yuryev of NAAN and registered in the State Register of Plant Varieties of Ukraine in 2023 for cultivation in Steppe, Forest-Steppe, and Polissia zones. "Malusha" belongs to the erythrospermum variety, characterized by medium, dense, spindle-shaped ears with white color upon ripening and very long awns at the top. Grain is large, red, well-formed, with 1000-grain weight of 42.0–45 g. Plants are medium-early, 84–91 cm tall, with strong stems resistant to lodging and strong waxy coating on upper internodes. Plant habit is semi-erect.
The variety shows high winter hardiness (8.5 points), drought resistance, lodging resistance, and shattering resistance. In field conditions, "Malusha" exhibits high resistance to common diseases such as powdery mildew, brown rust, hard and volatile smut, and head septoria. According to results of competitive trials of IP NAAN in 2022, the yield of the variety reached 8.41 t/ha. The grain quality of the variety is appreciated for its protein content of 12.8–13.1 %, gluten content of 26–27.1 %, and flour strength of 254–280 units. The variety is of universal type, suitable for cultivation both after black fallow and non-fallow predecessors on high agrofond.
Information about "Chernobrova" wheat, which is a result of crossing wormwood and black-seeded wheat, does not relate to the "Malusha" variety and is not included in the description. Thus, "Malusha" is a high-yielding and resistant winter wheat variety with excellent agronomic and technological characteristics, intended for cultivation in various climatic zones of Ukraine.
